Te'o's teammate Toma headed to ND

February 06, 2009|By BOB WIENEKE Tribune Staff Writer

Manti TeÂ?o has company.

The coveted linebacker recruit from HonoluluÂ?s Punahou School, who on Wednesday shocked many when he picked Notre Dame over USC and UCLA, will be joined in South Bend by teammate and good friend Roby Toma.

Toma, a 5-foot-9, 160-pound receiver, told the Honolulu Advertiser that he would fax his letter-of-intent to Notre Dame on Friday. Toma had been committed to UCLA but did not sign on Wednesday, the first day players could make official their verbal pledges.

"That Notre Dame offer was something I just couldnÂ?t pass up," Toma told the paper. "ItÂ?s a great opportunity."

Toma figures to play at slot receiver, the position David Grimes occupied the last few years. Last month, Nyshier Oliver, a player ND had recruited at the spot, flipped his commitment from the Irish to Tennessee. Toma said the Irish offered him a scholarship about a month ago.

"I just didnÂ?t tell anybody because I didnÂ?t want anybody to freak out," he said. "I didnÂ?t make up my mind until (Wednesday). ThatÂ?s why I didnÂ?t sign. I needed time to think."

Toma becomes the 18th member of Notre DameÂ?s recruiting class of 2009, a class that appears to be complete. According to Rivals.com, Toma caught 82 passes for 1,380 yards and 19 touchdowns. He is ranked as a three-star player (on a five-star scale) and runs the 40-yard dash in 4.5 seconds.

Toma has not taken an official visit to Notre Dame but may after Punahou completes its basketball season.

After Toma did not sign with UCLA, Hawaii offered him.

"I love (Hawaii coach Greg McMackin) and I love what he has going on at UH," Toma said, "but thought for myself, I just needed to go out and explore."